The INC. Column.

Pier Publicity May Be No Bargain

April 19, 1999|By Ellen Warren & Teresa Wiltz.

The new leadership at the agency that runs McCormick Place and Navy Pier is starting to ask questions about what exactly they're getting for the $7,000-a-month retainer they're paying one of the city's premier public relations firms, Margie Korshak Inc.

Early word is that when the contract expires, it won't be re-upped. Or, if it is, the terms will be more favorable than the current ones that guarantee the stiff fee to the well-connected powerhouse PR firm no matter how much public relations work does--or doesn't--get done.

FOR THE RECORD - Additional material published April 20, 1999:Corrections and clarifications.The Inc. column Monday gave an incorrect first name of the architect of Marina Towers. He is Bertrand Goldberg. The Tribune regrets the error.

In some months, Inc. has learned, the cost of Korshak's public relating for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority can total closer to $9,000 than $7,000. "McPier" has always been a good place to look for lavish spending and patronage plums. So now there's this noise about the Korshak PR deal and frisky new leadership from Gov. George Ryan's trusted adviser and campaign manager, Scott Fawell. But the smart money says the place ain't ready for reform.

Real life redux

Clearly, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince is a man with waaaaaay too much time on his hands. He recently announced that because Warner Bros., his former label, won't turn over his master recordings--the original CDs from which all copies are made--he will re-record everything he's done for Warner. That's 17 albums, released between 1978 and 1996. He says that today's new and improved technology means that old hits such as "Dirty Mind," "Purple Rain" and "Little Red Corvette" will sound that much better.

Residents of the landmark Marina Towers complex are furious. After tower-dwellers endured three long, dirty, dusty years of renovation in the lobby that connects the two distinct Bernard Goldberg corncob structures, the job was finally finished last month.

Residents didn't even get around to breaking out the champagne. But those buckets you chill it in would come in handy: Every time it rains, the roof leaks.

Next a ballad about him

Willie Delgado, a freshman state representative from Chicago, has become a folk hero since Inc. reported he pulled over a policeman for driving too slow.

Delgado got a standing ovation in the House chamber and dozens of e-mails from total strangers. More important, one of the moms at his son's Little League game came over to tell him what a great guy he is.

All right, already

We know you love Emeril. Boy, do we know how much you love Emeril.

Ever since we broke the news that New Orleans chef Emeril Lagasse is coming to town in June, you've flooded our phone, fax and cyber lines with ticket requests. Trust us on this one: We don't have the Emeril hookup any more than you do. But--Bam!--we do have the secret to getting tickets to his Chicago shows. Call the "Emeril Live" Hotline, 212-401-2422. You can also check out the Food Network Web site at http://www.foodtv.com. Don't do anything before April 23 or you'll just be disappointed. Now leave us alone.

Wiltz contemplates a make-over with the queen of hair weaves, Ellin La Var

Rapunzel-length hair weaves--fake or human hair attached to your own shorter locks--are the hottest thing to sashay down runways this spring. But La Var, 38, the owner of the New York-based salon La Var Hair Designs, has been enhancing Mother Nature for more than 20 years with a celebrity-studded client list: Mary J. Blige, Julia Roberts, Naomi Campbell, Courtney Love, Whitney Houston, Iman, Donatella Versace and Oprah Winfrey. Cost? $500 to $3,000 and more.

Q--So why has the fashion world suddenly discovered fake hair?

A--This isn't the first time they've discovered it. But before, people just didn't want anyone to know they had a hair weave. I did Farrah Fawcett years ago, but no one wanted to admit it.

Q--Do some celebrities keep their extensions a secret?

A--Oh, sure. But I can always tell.

Q--What was your most ridiculous hair request?

A--Someone came in who was completely bald.

Q--Completely bald?

A--Completely. I had to explain to her that she had to have a little bit of hair first to attach to the weave.

Q--Is there such a thing as a hair weave addict?

A--I think so. They keep coming back wanting more and more hair. The best way to stop a hair weave addict is to tell them, "You're wasting money. But if you want to continue to pay my bills, that's OK." That usually gets the point across.

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